From start-up to standout: Why investing in techpreneurs is investing in the future?
Founded with a bold vision to reimagine how communities' access essential services, GoodApp is quickly becoming a case study in what's possible when local talent meets global ambition. More than just a service marketplace, it is a digital infrastructure layer that connects customers with vetted professionals ranging from electricians and plumbers to beauticians, handymen, massage therapists, and more, all at the tap of a button.
At the helm of the company's technological evolution is Prakhar Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer, whose product leadership has enabled the platform to scale rapidly across South Africa's urban hubs.
'We believe technology should be transformational, not just functional,' says Srivastava. 'GoodApp was created to remove friction from everyday life and unlock opportunity for both users and service providers.'
The team's journey from a bootstrapped concept to an award-winning platform underscores the broader need for more investment in African tech ecosystems. While recognition is valuable, Srivastava emphasises that startups need more than applause, they need capital, infrastructure, mentorship, and regulatory environments that allow innovation to thrive.
Across the continent, a new generation of techpreneurs is building solutions that are locally grounded yet globally scalable. From fintech and agritech to healthtech and edtech, African founders are no longer just responding to problems, they're anticipating them.
'It takes an ecosystem,' notes Srivastava. 'Investors, regulators, customers, and collaborators must come together with a shared belief that tech is not just an industry, but a vehicle for inclusive growth.'
GoodApp's rise is a testament to that philosophy. Its platform prioritises trust, quality, and community upliftment, with every service provider undergoing rigorous vetting, background checks, and performance monitoring. Customer ratings and reviews ensure transparency, while technology enables seamless access for users across income levels and geographies.
Srivastava concludes:
'As African digital economies continue to expand, platforms like GoodApp show what's possible when ambition meets support – and when startups are given the resources to scale.
To policymakers: build frameworks that encourage innovation.
To investors: look beyond the spreadsheet – see the vision.
To founders: build with purpose, and build for people.
Because the next global tech success story won't just come from Silicon Valley. It will come from Soweto, Nairobi, Lagos, or Khayelitsha. And when it does, it will be because someone chose to back an idea that mattered.'
Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
30 minutes ago
- Zawya
The transformative power of AI to create jobs in Africa
Mastercard's latest whitepaper, Harnessing the transformative power of AI in Africa, demonstrates AI's potential to drive financial inclusion, job creation and innovation as it highlights how Africa's unique demographics, mobile-first infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit position it as an active architect of the future. The whitepaper is a pan-African study of the continent's readiness, opportunity and roadmap for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. It provides detailed insights into how AI—if deployed responsibly and inclusively—can unlock transformative outcomes across the continent's major industries, including agriculture, healthcare, education, energy and finance. The whitepaper outlines the potential positive impact of AI on digital infrastructure, policy and governance, research and development, local language processing and investment into Africa. It also explores how AI can accelerate job creation, with up to 230 million digital jobs projected by 2030, and increase access to formal finance through AI-enabled credit scoring and fraud prevention. Reshaping lives With Africa's AI market projected to grow from $4.5bn in 2025 to $16.5bn by 2030, according to a recent report from Statista, the paper presents a clear case for multi-stakeholder collaboration and investment. Mark Elliott, division president, Africa at Mastercard, comments that Africa's engagement with AI is already reshaping lives — not just in labs, but in farms, clinics and classrooms. 'To unlock its full potential, we need investment in infrastructure, data, talent, and policy. At Mastercard, we believe responsible, locally rooted AI can drive inclusive growth and connect more people to opportunity.' Greg Ulrich, chief AI and data officer, Mastercard, adds, 'AI is only as powerful as the trust behind it. At Mastercard, we're committed to building AI that's responsible, inclusive, and built to bring value to our customers, partners and employees. 'This isn't just innovation—it's innovation with integrity.' Regional highlights Regional highlights covered in the whitepaper include: - South Africa South Africa attracted $610m in AI-focused venture capital in 2023, with total AI investment expected to reach $3.7bn by 2030. With the highest data and infrastructure readiness in Africa, the country is solidifying its role as a continental leader in AI research and application. It is home to the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Afri,ca which serves as a gateway for students and professionals to access world-class education, research and industry news. National plans aim to develop up to 300 AI start-ups and train 5,000 AI professionals by 2030, creating the foundation for a vibrant, homegrown AI ecosystem. - Kenya An emerging leader in AI innovation, Kenya has leveraged its 'Silicon Savannah' status to securely deploy AI across sectors. Platforms like Tala use mobile data for credit scoring, while Jacaranda Health's UlizaLlama, an AI-powered chatbot, provides maternal health support in five local languages. The newly launched National AI Strategy (2025–2030) outlines the government's commitment to positioning Kenya as a regional leader in AI research and development, innovation and commercialisation for socioeconomic development. - Nigeria Nigeria ranks second in the number of AI startups in Africa and secured $218m in VC investment in 2023. As one of Africa's most dynamic AI ecosystems, Nigeria is using AI to personalise learning (Rising Academies), deliver microfinance via and strengthen governance with AI tools that monitor public fund allocation. With a $1.4bn projected AI market size by 2025, the government's proactive approach, combined with growing private-sector innovation, suggests promising growth in AI applications. - Morocco An emerging AI hub in North Africa, Morocco is advancing AI adoption across healthcare, energy, agriculture, and finance. Institutions such as Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and DeepEcho are driving local innovation, while the MoroccoAI Annual Conference is shaping national dialogue on the future of AI. Under its Digital 2030 strategy, Morocco aims to attract $ 1.1bn in investment and create 240,000 digital jobs by 2030. Despite this progress, the whitepaper warns that data fragmentation, language exclusion and regulatory inconsistency could deepen the digital divide. Unlocking AI's full impact Harnessing the potential of AI in Africa will be instrumental in accelerating financial inclusion and driving the continent's digital and economic growth. Strategic collaborations between governments, fintechs, and global partners will be key to unlocking AI's full impact. Mastercard's whitepaper draws on insights from leading African technologists, policymakers, academics and entrepreneurs, including interviews with UnescO, the African Center for Economic Transformation, and fintech leaders across the region. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
30 minutes ago
- Zawya
Nigeria approves $2.6bln electricity sector debt refinancing plan
LAGOS: Nigeria has approved a phased plan to refinance 4 trillion naira ($2.61 billion) in electricity sector debt to help stabilise the nation's ailing power industry and improve supply, its finance minister said. The debt, primarily owed to 27 power generation companies for outstanding invoices between 2015 and 2023, has stifled investment in the industry and exacerbated chronic power outages in Africa's most populous nation. President Bola Tinubu pledged to settle the claims following a recent verification. He approved the plan on Wednesday. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in the capital Abuja, finance minister Olawale Edun said the refinancing would be executed within three to four weeks under the oversight of the debt management office. "It is now fully approved, and we move to implementation," Edun said. The plan will likely involve bond issuances and other instruments to spread out the repayment liability over time. This aligns with broader sector reforms, including a 35% cut in electricity subsidies and tariff hikes for urban consumers, measures expected to save the government around 1.1 trillion naira, or around $718.58 million, annually. ($1 = 1,530.8000 naira) (Reporting by Isaac Anyaogu; Editing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Joe Bavier)
Zawya
30 minutes ago
- Zawya
CTM360 partners with Lesotho Communications Authority
Maseru, Lesotho: CTM360, a global leader in Digital Risk Protection, is proud to announce its strategic expansion in Africa through a formal partnership with Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing cybersecurity capabilities and strengthening digital infrastructure in the communications sector in Lesotho. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Mr. Mirza Asrar Baig, CEO of CTM360, and the CEO of LCA, Mr Nizam Goolam, laying the foundation for a joint initiative aimed at bolstering Lesotho's communications sector's defense against evolving cyber threats. The primary partnership empowers LCA with real-time threat visibility into cyber risks targeting Lesotho's Critical Infrastructure. Through CTM360's consolidated cybersecurity stack, the initiative will enable proactive detection, continuous monitoring, and mitigation of digital threats across the communications sector. Mirza Asrar Baig, CEO of CTM360, reaffirmed his dedication to the collaboration, ''This partnership signifies more than just cooperation, it is a joint commitment to safeguard Lesotho's Critical Infrastructure, which includes MNOs, ISPs, and other essential communication sectors. We are committed to co-developing a risk-based maturity model that will empower LCA to lead effective nationwide cybersecurity initiatives.'' This MoU also facilitates comprehensive external cybersecurity assessments for LCA and its licensees, leveraging CTM360's advanced threat intelligence and monitoring capabilities. These assessments will support both reactive and preventative strategies for managing cyber risks, thereby fostering a more resilient digital environment for the Communications Sector in Lesotho. The CEO of LCA, Mr Nizam Goolam, on the same note, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, expressing that, 'This partnership comes at a critical time as we navigate the complexities of a fast-evolving digital landscape. By joining forces with CTM360, we are taking a proactive step to strengthen the communication sector's cybersecurity resilience and ensure the protection of key systems.' About Lesotho Communication Authority: Established in June 2000, the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) is a statutory body responsible for regulating Lesotho's communications sector. Its core mandate includes licensing operators, managing radio frequency spectrum, approving tariffs, promoting fair competition, type approving equipment, and ensuring consumer protection. Its mandate is to foster a secure, reliable, and competitive communications environment throughout Lesotho. For more information, contact: info@ About CTM360: CTM360 is a unified external security platform that integrates External Attack Surface Management, Digital Risk Protection, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Brand Protection & Anti-phishing, Surface, Deep & Dark Web Monitoring, Security Ratings, Third Party Risk Management and Unlimited Takedowns. Seamless and turn-key, CTM360 requires no configurations, installations or inputs from the end-user, with all data pre-populated and specific to your organization. All aspects are managed by CTM360. For more information, contact: info@
